A lifelong civil rights leader and human rights activist, Larry Bagneris, Jr. is available to speak to large and small groups about how far we have come, and how far we still have to go in the march to civil rights for everyone. Larry’s activism began as a teen with the fight to desegregate his home town of New Orleans.

Larry fought to desegregate the school system, and end the segregation of public facilities in New Orleans. Larry was the first openly gay political candidate to run for office in Louisiana, has served under three two-term mayors as the Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission of New Orleans. He is one of the founders of the Houston Gay Pride Parade and continues to fight for civil rights for all people while participating in national and international conferences and events.

Larry comes from the frontlines of the struggle for civil rights with stories of both personal and professional challenges and triumphs with which groups of all ages and backgrounds can identify.